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Ultrasonic cleaningRelated Patent Categories: Cleaning And Liquid Contact With Solids, Liquid Treating Forms And Mandrels, Including Application Of Electrical Radiant Or Wave Energy To WorkUltrasonic cleaning description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050241667, Ultrasonic cleaning. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US00/31432 filed Nov. 15, 2000, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/165,862 filed Nov. 16, 1999. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a process for cleaning of the type using ultrasonic vibration. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Ultrasonic vibration is being used in industry for cleaning of soiled substrates. In particular, this is done by insertion of such substrates in an aqueous bath submitted to ultrasonic vibration. Indeed, such vibration removes soils from the substrate. Such a process is for example mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,748. An other area of use of ultrasonic vibration for cleaning is in the cleaning of teeth or dentures, where an vibrating implement is placed in contact with the soiled teeth or denture, the vibration removing the soil. Such a process is for example mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,977. [0004] The present invention concerns a process of cleaning a substrate, the process comprising a first step of providing a cleaning solution and a hand-held implement, the process further comprising a second step of applying the solution onto the substrate with the implement. [0005] Among the advantages of cleaning using ultrasonic vibration is the reduced effort and time required to remove soils when compared to traditional purely mechanical methods. More particularly, ultrasonic vibration is functional where other methods would be likely to fail, particularly when cleaning complex surfaces. Indeed, such surfaces may simply be placed in an aqueous bath, the aqueous solution being vibrated, so that all of the immersed surfaced is cleaned. In the particular domain of teeth cleaning, where the ultrasonic bath is not practical, the use of an ultrasonic implement applied directly onto soils allows for rapid and efficient cleaning. [0006] While having these and other advantages, cleaning processes using ultrasonic vibration have disadvantages. For example, the traditional aqueous bath transmitting ultrasonic vibration requires relatively large electrical power supply in order to vibrate all of the liquid in which the soiled substrate is immersed. [0007] The invention seeks to provide a process of cleaning a substrate, whereby the removal of soils will be provided in a reduced time and with reduced efforts, while requiring a limited electrical power. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In accordance with the invention this aspect is accomplished in a process of cleaning a substrate, the process comprising a first step of providing a cleaning solution and a hand-held implement, the process further comprising a second step of applying the solution onto the substrate with the implement, characterised in that the implement has an active part vibrating at a frequency of at least 20 kHz with an amplitude of at least 10 .mu.m and up to 100 .mu.m, and whereby the substrate is fibrous or a hard domestic surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-held, ultrasonic device, with a cleaning solution storage means which is adapted to be removably mounted in the device. Also shown are a removably mountable cleaning head and an additional cleaning solution storage means. [0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two different hand-held, pen-shaped ultrasonic devices, which are used in the invention to impart ultrasonic waves onto a stain or soil. [0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hand-held, pen-shaped ultrasonic device, which is shown imparting ultrasonic waves onto a soil. [0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective an ultrasonic device, which are used in the invention to impart ultrasonic waves onto a stain or soil. The ultrasonic generator and the power source are in a second housing which is associated with the cleaning head which is in a first housing. [0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a four different hand-held, glue-gun and vacuum like-shaped ultrasonic device. Also shown is a detachably mounted cartridge which would contain cleaning solution. [0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hand-held, pen-shaped ultrasonic device, and a recharging cradle which acts as an additional reservoir for cleaning solution. The pen shaped ultrasonic device is detachably mounted from the recharging cradle. [0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view and a exploded view of a of a hand-held, glue gun or drill like ultrasonic device. The detachable reservoir is show how it mounts in the device as well as where the cleaning solution exits from the device onto the surface to be cleaned. [0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hand-held, pen-shaped ultrasonic device, which is shown additionally, to indicate how the cartridge containing the cleaning solution is removed/attached to the device. [0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective, and two exploded views view of a hand-held, pen-shaped ultrasonic device, which is shown indicating how the cartridge containing the cleaning solution is removed/attached to the device and how and where the cleaning solution is dispensed for use on the surface to be cleaned. [0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a two hand-held, pen-shaped ultrasonic device, which are shown imparting ultrasonic waves onto a surface. Also shown is a double sided ultrasonic device where each end is designed for use on a different type of surface, such as fabric (like clothing, furniture) and hard kitchen surfaces, such as floors, dishes, etc. [0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hand-held ultrasonic device, and a recharging cradle and how the arrangement is inserted into a mains wall socket. The ultrasonic device is detachably mounted from the recharging cradle. Continue reading about Ultrasonic cleaning... Full patent description for Ultrasonic cleaning Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Ultrasonic cleaning patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Ultrasonic cleaning or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Microbial biofilm removal methods and systems Next Patent Application: Ultrasonic implement Industry Class: Cleaning and liquid contact with solids ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Ultrasonic cleaning patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.03253 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , pbckp |
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